Question Period Note: SUICIDE MORTALITY STUDY 2018

• Suicide prevention in Canada’s Veteran population is a public health priority and of critical importance to Veterans Affairs Canada.

• In 2018, the Veteran Suicide Mortality Study found that male and female Veterans at highest risk of suicide were Non-Commissioned Members at release.

• The study also demonstrates that prevention efforts are critical, not only during transition from military to civilian life, but throughout the life of the Veteran.

• The findings of the study support the Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Canada Joint Suicide Prevention Strategy.

• The findings of the study will contribute to enhanced programs and communications to ultimately improve the health and well-being of Veterans.

BACKGROUND – VETERAN SUICIDE MORTALITY STUDY

Continuous improvement in suicide prevention through research is one of the seven key lines of effort in the Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Canada Joint Suicide Prevention Strategy. To fulfill its commitment to release a suicide report for the Veteran population by December 2017, Veterans Affairs Canada worked closely with the Department of National Defence and Statistics Canada to develop the Veteran Suicide Mortality Study.

The 2017 study found that both male and female Veterans were at significantly higher risk of suicide than the general Canadian population. Further analyses were conducted in 2018 to identify groups of Veterans who were at elevated risk of suicide.

The 2019 study is expected to be released in early 2020.

Study results 2018
• Veteran males who were at highest risk of suicide were Non-commissioned Members (NCMs) at release, younger, and had non-voluntary releases. Females who were at increased risk were also NCMs, but suicide risk did not differ by age at release. Class C Reservist Veterans had a similar risk of suicide as those with Regular Force Service. For males, suicide risk was highest in the first decade after release, while for females this risk was greatest during the second decade.

Study Implications
• The Joint Suicide Prevention Strategy affirms a focus on well-being during transition to civilian life and on related suicide prevention efforts. Together with the findings from the 2016 Life After Service Study, the Veteran Suicide Mortality Study findings support the Suicide Prevention Strategy. The study also highlights that suicide prevention efforts are critical not only during transition from military to civilian life, but throughout the life of the Veteran.

The findings will be used to enhance suicide prevention activities and will allow for timelier reporting. Additionally, the findings of this study and other research initiatives will contribute to enhancing programs, benefits and communications, which will ultimately improve the health and well-being of Veterans in Canada.

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